Senior KPMG partner on child sex charges

Accounting firm KPMG has suspended
Duncan Calder
, a senior partner in its Perth office, after the deal maker appeared in a local court accused of attempting to procure sex from a 14-year-old girl.

Mr Calder, who quit as national president of the Australia China Business Council before attending the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, was also accused of attempting to solicit a prostitute last month.

In a statement, a KPMG spokeswoman said the company became aware of the “incidents and charges for the first time last night".

“The partner has been suspended while we seek to better understand the situation and determine any further response," the spokeswoman said.

“As this matter is in the hands of the police and before the Court, we have no further comment at this time."

Mr Calder was accused of ­encouraging the teenager to commit an indecent act in January 2008.

Mr Calder told the Australia China Business Council he was resigning for personal reasons. He was appointed to the role less than a year ago. He was previously the Council’s WA president.

Australia China Business Council chairman
Ian McCubbin
will take over as national president.

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Mr Calder joined Prime Minister
Tony Abbott
on a trade mission to China in April.

Australia China Business Council sponsors and members were informed Mr Calder had resigned for personal reasons on Thursday evening.

The West Australian newspaper reported on Friday that Mr Calder had been charged by child abuse squad officers with both offences on June 26.

The newspaper said Mr Calder tried to cover his face with a hooded jacket and backpack as he entered the court on Thursday. He was required to surrender his passport but is allowed to fly interstate for work commitments.

As head of KPMG’s China business practice and its forensic services in Perth, Mr Calder worked on many ­corporate deals in the resources sector. He has worked for Chinese companies including advising Sinosteel, Baosteel and CITIC Pacific.

He has been on the board of the Parkerville Children & Youth Care, a non-profit organisation caring for ­vulnerable children and youth.